Maths Match

Maths match.
Web-based games have livened up maths classes at Collingwood Area School.
by Laura Bond.
In Disney's High School Musical Gabriella Montez showed us that being a 'freaky math kid' isn't anything to be ashamed of. And Kiwi kids are catching on, using an online maths program.

 

At www.mathletics.co.nz students participate in competitions and skill-building games. They can also play against each other, and schools can compete for points and prizes.

 

At Collingwood Area School, at the top of the South Island, 20 year 9 and 10 students are using Mathletics. Year 9 student Sara says she likes the way the game lets you choose your own skill level. She also enjoys the program's competitive aspect.

 

"Playing against people from all over Australasia makes it quite competitive, too, especially with the 'across the ditch' rivalry," she says.

 

Mathletics originated in Australia, with a New Zealand version introduced in July 2006. The Kiwi site kicked off with a trans-Tasman competition, where 70 New Zealand schools took on the Aussies and won the top three places. Newlands Intermediate School in Wellington was the overall winner, Albany Junior High came second and Royal Oak Primary was third.

 

One of the fun things about the program is being able to create your own character. Once you've done that, when you log into the website, a picture of your character appears next to your name.

 

Year 9 student Toby really enjoys the fact you can win prizes. "When you reach over 1,000 points in Mathletics you get a bronze medal. When you get five bronze medals you receive a silver medal. When you get three silver medals you get a gold medal."

 

These can lead to actual prizes, such as movie tickets. The website has a 'Mathletics Hall of Fame', featuring the top participants for the day. You can also see how many other mathletes are online at the same time as you.

 

There are plenty of incentives to keep improving your maths, too. Every week a progress report is emailed to your parents to let them know how you have improved. Collingwood School teacher Kirk Milligan says the site is very different to a teacher standing in front of the class lecturing the students.

 

"We use the program when maths is in the last period of the day. That used to be dead time but now it is more interesting for the students." Sara agrees: "Overall I think Mathletics is definitely worth getting and I would recommend it to everyone who struggles with maths or just wants to bump up their skills."

 

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